Cytheria Karmeut, the third princess of the Lemnos kingdom. The Lemnos Kingdom is an isolated island country on the far-east side of the continent, and one of the strongest kingdoms in the continent. It's an odd country as it's dominated by women. The females that were born on that island, for some reason are gifted with a substantial amount of mana than most men that are also born within the island. A weird phenomenon that even the brightest can't explain.
"Why are you humming happily? After making me worry!" screamed the woman.
"Emelie, calm down, fufufu~" Cytheria patted her back.
Emelie calmed herself down. "Sure... So, how's he?"
"Better than I expected," Cytheria replied.
Reminiscing what they did earlier, a bolt of excitement was sent through Cytheria's entire body. Meanwhile, Emelie next to her shivered in fear as the creepy smile of Cytheria was embedded deep into her mind.
Emelie shook her head and asked. "I forgot to ask. Why did you take an interest in him? Yesterday, you asked Lorton for his profile, especially his history after Shin mentioned him. It's been bothering me... He's not that impressive—No, he's... A piece of shit."
"Have you read his profile?"
"Yes. The manaless son of Wilford Belmont, or according to them, a failed product. He doesn't have a knack for swordsmanship, but he has intelligence as he was admitted to the academy with the theory he submitted, but for some reason, the Sword Saint took interest in him and made him a disciple. His works are certainly interesting, but not revolutionary." Emelie paused for a brief moment.
'Ah, here we go... I shouldn't have asked that.' Cytheria thought.
Emelie held her chin. "... It's stated that he was born manaless yet. Yet, he can use magic like everyone else, some said, his master the Sword Saint probably gave him an artifact, but artifacts can't be activated without mana then another report said that he's probably using artificial mana. If proven, it will be the biggest discovery in the world. But then again, another report about him tells the opposite... The information about him is all over the place. But, I'm certain! He used his seductive looks!"
Seeing her friend racking her brains out, made her smile. "I love you Emelie, but sometimes, you need to learn how to shut up." Cytheria softly hit Emelie's head.
"Ria!"
"It's a yes or no question, not a rhetorical one. This is why you don't have friends."
"..."
"Earlier, he defeated Haze in a one-on-one fight, so you could say, we've proven some stuff about him," Cytheria added.
"Is that so...? It's not that surprising since Haze usually is too full of himself. He probably got—"
"Perhaps, but from what I've seen he stood no chance at all."
"How so?" Emelie stopped in her tracks. Then she continued. "Isn't he ranked 8?"
Cytheria softly hit Emelie's head. "Even before, I don't view him as a strong one. His irrationality caused by his immaturity led to his defeat. Well, at least, I give him props for being my fodder."
"Poor him. But, he deserved it."
"I'm so excited! This would be an interesting year. Unlike the previous year or the years after that, the first-year students ranked S that enrolled this year tripled, adding to the fact that there are also prospects from the Class A students that look promising. Without a doubt, the ecosystem of our school also drastically changed. I mean, it's already happening in the hierarchy. Shin Morino's existence is already causing a catastrophe among the aristocrat circle."
"Also, he joined the Student Council, solidifying his status as a threat to the nobles."
"Eh~? That's the least surprising news. Then add, 'him' in the mix." Cytheria said with a vile grin plastered on her face.
Emelie rolled her eyes away, knowing her intentions. "From looking at your expression, looks like you found another toy."
"Indeed." Cytheria paused for a brief moment as the image of Claude flashed in her mind. "... expected from an experienced man. He knows how to pleasure a woman, completely different from Shin Morino."
"What... are you saying? Please be careful with your words, you're a princess! Please don't use such foul language!" Emelie grunted.
"Such a party pooper. Also, if you hadn't interrupted us earlier, I would love to know what will happen next." Cytheria said satirically.
"Decency!"
Cytheria began waving her hands in the air playfully.'Who would've expected that the man I'm planning to use to get the high elf will be the interesting one? Once I saw his wound healing rapidly, I also thought he was one of the beast-kin like Haze, but he's just a human and not even an ounce of mana resides inside his body. Peculiar, but interesting nonetheless.'
Meanwhile, Emelie next to her also had the same man in her mind. 'Every time I remember him, my mind keeps reminiscing about his gaze... His creepy gaze... I wonder if I can plunge them out and will Ria allow me to keep them?'
They're thinking about the same person, but totally two different thoughts.
Suddenly, the two were stopped as soon they saw a man leaning in the tree, seemingly waiting for someone. He has long black hair pony-tailed to his back, perfectly matching his eyes that's contrary to a normal where his eyes consist of black pupils, white irises, and black sclera. With long eyelashes and a beautiful face, he was perfectly androgynous, possessing equal parts of delicate feminine beauty and masculine virility. A flawless mocha-brown skin that will make any woman envy, and a long, slender body, covered in muscles exquisitely proportioned throughout his body. And lastly, a glaring tattoo symbol under his eyes.
Emelie raises her guard up because she knows the man in front of them, Vermouth Igrant, a notorious person in the academy.
Cytheria smirked upon recognizing the person in front of them. "Look who it is. The man himself, Vermouth Igrant. What brings you here?"
He responded with silence and a side glance.
"Was it perhaps because of Shin? The man of your dreams has finally arrived~! Shin Morino will cause turmoil among the aristocracy, aren't you waiting for that? Let it stir for a while before attacking at the right time. And finally, Vermouth's dream will come true, defeating the nobility for once and all! Finally, the goddess of fate is finally favoring you!"
Vermouth lowered his head, turning his face toward them. "You're right. The current state of things, everything seems to be favoring me now, but I have no control over it."
"Then get to work. But, knowing Shin Morino, he's too kind for your taste."
"... He might be, but that may change in the future. His act of heroism might be pleasant in the eyes, yet not everyone feels the same about it. Sooner or later, his eyes will open and see the reality of our world, the cruelty of our world."
"Depressed freak as always. It won't kill you to be positive sometimes. Let's go, Emelie." Cytheria held Emelie's hand.
As they passed by him, Cytheria added. "Also, heads up, once Claude Weiss learned about your little gift the other day. I can guarantee he won't hesitate to come for you. Sly as ever, who in their right mind would gift a person a curse?"
Vermouth's eyelids twitched.
"Hide your tracks. He's searching for you. Also, don't ever try to approach and invite him to your little circus. Unlike the other idiot, he's sharp and a monster. So, stick your nose into Shin if you want to continue your little dream."
"A monster... I disagree. He's still a human in the end. In spite of what he had shown, he's a wimp. I only see foreboding of what's about to befall him. How pathetic of you, Ms. Witch, for you to overlook a simple matter. What a disgrace to your title."
Cytheria Karmeut, the youngest 'Archmagus' to ever attain the title at age of 17. Throughout her life, she's called by many names, but the 'The Witch' stuck to her as it was partially because of her bewitching beauty and unorthodox methodology of magic.
"Go first, Emelie." Cytheria softly smiled at Emelie.
Emelie complied and got ahead of her, but from time to time, she kept glancing back, worried about Cytheria's well-being.
Upon seeing Emelie in the distance, Cytheria scoffs before speaking to him. "Look who's talking, you depressed revenge-driven douche. You probably expected him to be the same. Look,' Finally! Someone I can empathize with! A friend!' Yet, here you are with your shattered expectations. Boohoo, cry me a river."
"Stop with the jokes. You're wasting my time. I'm not here to have a friendly chat with you. I want to propose a deal with you."
Cytheria took a while to respond. "... Better be worth my time."
Editor: Zenon#4120